I truly can't say how amazing that game was. It was well-played on both sides and had all the elements of a classic. Dominant pitching performances, timely hitting, solid defense and, of course, a come-from-behind victory.

Stay tuned to The Varsity Voice. I talked with hero Kyle Ambrose and Minnechaug coach Neil Nordstrom and I'll get that on the site ASAP. But for now, I'm signing off. A remarkable, 5-4, comeback by Minnechaug, which will face the winner of tomorrow's Agawam-Chicopee matchup in the WMass Division 1 semifinals.

Top 7th --- Wow. You're not going to believe me, but I swear, I'm telling the truth.

Here's the deal: Andrew Fatse led off with a single. Chris Burnham flew out to shortstop; one out. Zach Carhart singled to right, sending Fatse to third. Steve Smith then singled between first and second, plating Fatse and making the score 4-2. DH Nick Clini then struck out; two outs.

Here's where it gets interesting. Dave Joliceour walked, loading the bases. Brother Mike Joliceour then chopped one to the right of Longmeadow first baseman Adam Krach, who couldn't handle the ball, but knocked it down. One run came in, making it 4-3, in favor of Longmeadow.

Then Kyle Ambrose came up with the bases juiced. He hammered a Matt Sherman fastball to right field, bringing in two runs. Minnechaug took a 5-4 lead on four runs in the seventh inning!

Michael Lavoie then shut the door in the bottom of the seventh.

Bot 6th --- What an awesome job of relief work by Minnechaug's Michael Lavoie. He set the Lancers down in order yet again. Hopefully for the Falcons, he's not done. But so far, here's Lavoie's line: 3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K. He really has kept Minnechaug in this game.

It's their last chance right now, trailing 4-1 heading to the top of the seventh.

Top 6th --- The Falcons got the leadoff walk they needed from designated hitter Nick Clina, and, with two outs, Kyle Ambrose roped a single to left that should have scored him. The only problem: Clini tripped rounding third base.

It was up to Michael Lavoie, who battled hard with two strikes on him and hit a sharp grounder to short stop Andrew Pettersen. Pettersen bobbled it but his throw was able to beat Lavoie at first base --- barely. Lots of chances blown by the Falcons. Lancers still lead 4-1, heading to their half of the sixth inning.

Bot 5th --- I correct myself, THAT was exactly what Minnechaug needed. Three up, three down. Two strikeouts and a first-pitch groundout. It's now or never for the Falcs and they have have Nos. 7, 8 and 9 coming up, trailing 4-1.

Top 5th --- There goes the shut out. Kyle Ambrose led off the fifth with a triple that would have left most other parks and Michael Lavoie brought him home one pitch later with a fielder's choice. Catcher Zach Carhart's bloop into right landed for a single putting Chris Burnham on third. The sun's setting fast, so the Falcons better act fast. It's already the fifth inning and I'm almost positive five full is a complete game.

Shortstop Steve Smith is up with two outs and runners at the corners. The one run is all 'Chaug's going to get, though, as Matt Sherman paints the corner to get Smith looking.
It's 4-1, Lancers and if it were to end now due to darkness, it would be an official game. For Minnechaug, this just turned into a game of beat the Lancers and the clock.

Bot 4th --- That's exactly what Minnechaug needed. A quick inning. If not for a walk to Andrew Pettersen, 'Chaug's Mike Lavoie set the Lancers down in order in their half of the fourth. It's onto the top of the fifth with the Lancers leading, 4-0.

Top 4th --- This was clearly the Falcons' best threat so far to put some runs on the board. They had runners on first and second with two outs and seemed to have Longmeadow's Sherman on the ropes. But the hard-throwing righty pitched right out of it, getting MIke Jolicoeur to strike out swinging. Still 4-0 Lancers, heading to the bottom of the fourth.

Bot 3rd --- That's the end of the day for starter Will Fallon. Michael Lavoie traded his rightfielder's hat for that of a pitcher and was quickly greeted by a two-run single from Longmeadow second baseman John Blain. It's now 4-0 Longmeadow heading to the fourth inning.

Fallon's final line, by the way: 2 2/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB

Top 3rd --- It was the matchup Minnechaug wanted: cleanup hitter Chris Burnham vs. Matt Sherman. Power vs. Power. With the bases loaded, nonetheless. Well, with all that power, something's gotta give, right? It sure did. Burnham squbbed one towards the first baseman, who ranged to his right and flipped to Sherman, covering the bag. Threat averted. Still 1-0 Lancers.

Bot 2nd --- Nothing doin' here for the Lancers. Sherman led off with a walk, but didn't get past second base. A pair of flyouts and a groundout to the third baseman by Longmeadow first baseman Ian Kratch has the Falcons back on offense.

Top 2nd --- A leadoff single from Chris Burnham didn't end up hurting the Lancers as Matt Sherman was able to pitch out of the jam with a runner in scoring position. He struck out Steve Smith with some serious gas and got Nick Clini to end the inning with a ground out. Still 1-0 Lancers heading to the bottom of the second.

Bot 1st --- The Lancers manufactured a run with good ole' speed and a great at-bat from catcher Todd Stewart. With two strikes and after a handful of fouled-off pitches, Stewart was able to bring home leadoff hitter Chris Michael with a sacrifice fly. Michael reached third base after a leadoff single and a pair of stolen bases. Longmeadow leads, 1-0, after one inning.

Top 1st --- Well the hour-plus delay didn't bother Longmeadow ace Matt Sherman much. He set the Falcons down in order in the first, allowing a base runner but erasing the blemish by inducing 'Chaug's Michael Lavoie into the 6-4-3 double play. The cherry for Sherman was the strikeout of the Falcons' leading hitter, Andrew Fatse to end the inning. No score after a half inning here in Longmeadow.

5:03 --- The Agawam-Chicopee game was postponed but Longmeadow and Minnechaug are ready to go. The game was delayed an hour due to some ugly showers coinciding with the exact moment your's truly stepped out of his vehicle.

We're here though, and baseball is going to be played. Both teams just finished their respective infields and coaches are meeting with the umpires as we speak. Stay tuned for Minnechaug-Longmeadow WMass Quarterfinal baseball.